Terrapene ornata

Taxobox
name = "Terrapene ornata"
status = LR/nt | status_system = IUCN2.3

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image_caption = Comparison of "T. ornata" subspecies, "T. o. ornata" and "T. o. luteola"
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Testudines
familia = Emydidae
genus = "Terrapene"
species = "T. ornata"
binomial = "Terrapene ornata"
binomial_authority = Agassiz, 1857

"Terrapene ornata" is a species of North American box turtle sometimes referred to as the western box turtle or ornate box turtle.

Taxonomy

There are two subspecies of "T. ornata":

*Ornate Box Turtle, "Terrapene ornata ornata" (Agassiz, 1857)
*Desert Box Turtle, "Terrapene ornata luteola" (Smith & Ramsey, 1952)

Description

"T. ornata" have a shell that is less domed than other species of box turtle, appearing to be slightly flattened. Their coloration is generally black or dark brown, with yellow striping. "T. o. luteola" tends to have more striping than "T. o. ornata".

Range

"T. ornata ornata" is found in the central United States from eastern Indiana, to eastern Texas and into Louisiana. "T. ornata luteola" inhabits the driest areas of all the box turtle species, and is found in western Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and adjoining areas of northern Mexico.

References

*IUCN2006|assessors=Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group|year=1996|id=21644|title=Terrapene ornata|downloaded=09 May 2006
* [http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/TerrapenecareSZ.htm Chelonia.org: Box Turtles]